By Capt. Tamara Gonzales, USA
NTM-A
For Afghans, by Afghans; this is the standard 203rd Corps Afghan National Army sets in cooperation with its coalition partners as it builds forward operating base Moqur near Ghazni.
The Afghan first approach started with the a local-Afghan contractor building the site’s current six wood B-Huts with strong support from the 201st Corps Commander in Regional Command-East.
Afghans building for Afghans has tremendous potential, but is not without a few challenges. While more progress is required to complete the project such as weatherizing structures and completing electrical installation. Other projects underway include establishing a FOB water supply, B-Huts, latrines, and dining facilities and other minor repairs, this site may just set the example for future Afghan National Security Force bases.
“We are trying to create conditions like those found in the U.S. and Europe,” said Oscar, a Polish coalition partner working to improve the austere conditions.
The minor construction test program began at the 203rd Corps commander, with approval from the Ministry of Defence serving as one of several successful examples of Afghans building for Afghans.
Besides helping make Afghans more self-sufficient, the program is helping save millions of dollars. Through partnering with the Kandak commander of the 203rd Corps, the Combined Joint Task Force-82 set financial conditions avoiding corruption while entrusting Afghans with nearly $400,000. The project includes renovating the Tachtberg Castle and constructing FOB Moqur, adding up to a savings of more than $2 million. The Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan underwrote a good portion of this money for minor construction, $175,000 and $185,000 respectively.
Given this first step in Afghans building for Afghans, the way-ahead includes developing a blueprint and set of contracting/construction ground rules applicable at other locations.
“We are going to explode these capabilities, using them to gain relief on basing projects,” said Brig. Gen. Gary Patton, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan deputy commanding general for programs.
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